Suppose You Are Faced With A Terminally Ill Client With AIDS ✓ Solved
Suppose You Are Faced With A Terminally Ill Client With Aids Who
Suppose you are faced with a terminally ill client with AIDS who is in a great deal of pain. The client indicates to you in a calm, reasonable way that he/she is going to drive out to an isolated spot in a state park, drink a thermos of margaritas, take out her 9 mm automatic, make an audiotape telling her family how much she loves them and how she doesn't want to be a burden on them, and then kill herself. Run a five-minute crisis intervention session. With the following criteria in mind, how do you feel you did? -being objective -your own moral view of AIDS and suicide -following Tarasoff. Please remember to use references and APA style.
Paper For Above Instructions
Intervening in a suicidal crisis, especially in the context of terminal illness such as AIDS, requires a nuanced understanding of the clinical situation, ethical considerations, and the emotional state of the client. This paper will provide a simulation of a five-minute crisis intervention session with a terminally ill client contemplating suicide. Additionally, it will explore the issues of objectivity, personal moral views regarding AIDS and suicide, and adherence to the Tarasoff duty to warn and protect. The objective is to create a thorough narrative that balances empathy, ethical obligations, and practical crisis intervention strategies.
Understanding the Client's Situation
In initiating the crisis intervention, it is essential to create a safe and supportive environment for the client. This involves active listening and articulating an understanding of the client’s emotional pain. During the first moment of intervention, I would greet the client warmly and express my concern for their well-being. For instance, I would say: “I can see that you are in a lot of pain, and I want to talk about what you are experiencing.” This approach fosters openness and encourages the client to share their feelings without fear of judgment.
Listening and Validating the Client's Feelings
Once the client has communicated their suicidal thoughts and plans, it is essential to validate their feelings without endorsing their decision. A supportive response might include, “It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed and believe that your loved ones will be better off without you. I want to understand more about what has led you to this point.” This type of response helps to demonstrate empathy and acknowledges the client’s feelings while also steering the conversation towards exploring their thoughts and the reasons behind them.
Assessing Risk and Exploring Alternatives
In a crisis intervention, it is vital to assess the immediate risk of suicide. This means asking open-ended questions about their current thoughts, feelings, and any past suicidal behavior. Questions such as, “Have you ever thought about this before?” or “What do you think might happen if you decide to take this step?” can help gauge their level of risk. It is important not to challenge or confront the client aggressively, as this may exacerbate their feelings of hopelessness.
Furthermore, exploring alternatives to suicide is crucial. I would ask, “Are there other ways you think you could cope with your pain?” This can involve discussing the potential for professional help, involvement in pain management programs, or exploring hospice care options, which might relieve some burden from the client’s perspective.
Maintaining Objectivity
As a mental health professional, it is imperative to remain objective during such interventions. My moral views on AIDS and suicide should not cloud my professional judgment. I would remind myself of the importance of separate emotional perspectives and place the focus on the client's needs. Self-reflection is necessary to ensure that personal beliefs do not interfere with the intervention process.
Tarasoff Duty to Warn
The Tarasoff ruling obligates mental health professionals to breach confidentiality when a client poses a serious threat to themselves or others. Understanding this duty is critical in scenarios involving suicide. If a client conveys a clear and immediate plan for self-harm, it becomes my responsibility to inform appropriate authorities or family members if necessary. During the intervention, I would communicate this duty to the client transparently: “I want you to know that while I care deeply about your feelings, I also have a responsibility to ensure your safety and that sometimes this means I need to share what you’ve told me.”
Closure and Follow-Up
Finally, it is crucial to help the client identify next steps towards safety. This step includes setting up follow-up appointments and establishing a support system that includes friends, family, or mental health professionals. I would conclude the session by saying, “I want to support you through this difficult time. Let’s come up with a plan that keeps you safe and allows you to explore other options.” This provides hope and encourages future engagement in a therapeutic process.
Conclusion
This five-minute crisis intervention situates the client at the center, emphasizing empathy, assessment of risk, and ethical considerations surrounding suicide and terminal illness. Remaining objective while incorporating personal moral views on AIDS is essential for effective intervention. Additionally, adherence to the Tarasoff duty ensures that the client’s safety is paramount. Overall, the goal is to create an environment that promotes dialogue, understanding, and a pathway to safety and support.
References
- American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
- Beck, A. T., & Steer, R. A. (1993). Manual for the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. Psychological Corporation.
- Joiner, T. E. (2005). Why People Die by Suicide. Harvard University Press.
- Kaplan, H. I., & Sadock, B. J. (2015). Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences/Clinical Psychiatry (11th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- Oquendo, M. A., & Mann, J. J. (2000). The biology of suicidal behavior. Nature Medicine, 6(11), 1455-1457.
- Rudd, M. D. (2000). The assessment and management of suicidal risk: A guide for clinicians. Guilford Press.
- Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, 17 Cal. 3d 425 (1976).
- Van Heeringen, K. (2001). Understanding suicide: A guide for practitioners. Wiley & Sons.
- World Health Organization. (2021). Suicide worldwide in 2019: Global health estimates. World Health Organization.
- Youth Suicide Prevention Program. (2020). Crisis intervention strategies and suicide prevention. Retrieved from [URL]